Leto straightened to his full height. Upon the raised floor of the Cage, he had the higher vantage. That didnt matter when staring into his masters eyes. His pride twitched. Is that what you want, sir? For her to best me?
No, Leto. You are going to do what you do best: make our family very wealthy and make me very proud. He nodded toward Nynns fallen body. To do so, you will fight with Malnefoleys cousin . . . as your partner.
FOUR
Yes, Leto. The Old Man stroked a mustache as wan as his skin and as thin as his hair. Had he not possessed piercing green eyes, he wouldve appeared an albino. The crowd grows weary of your successes. Betting has been poorall in your favor. Its become a losing prospect for the bookies. Some have refused to take wagers on you. The other cartels refuse to pit their best against you in a future Grievance, which would exclude you from the games. He grinned again with that warped jokers smile. Apparently there exists the possibility of too much of a good thing.
Indignation burned in Letos throat. To have his victories so insulted was something hed never imagined. Couldnt comprehend. After the blow hed suffered at Nynns hands, the insult to his pride was too much.
A faint glow radiated from her body, even through her armor. The training arena took on an eerie light. Her power shocked him. Stayed with him. A headache had burst across his templesthe constant beat of unreleased tension.
He swallowed in an attempt to regain his patience. He couldnt argue with the head of the Aster cartel. Perhaps the facts could be plainly stated.
Sir, Ive never fought with a partner. Shes an untested threat to herself and to me.
My point exactly. She adds an element of uncertainty that you no longer possess. The crowd will hold its breath and the exchange of coin will skyrocket. The Old Man thumped forward, near enough to touch the bars of the Cage. You will do this, Leto. I dont care how you manage it. If Nynn of Tigony survives three matches, I will provide your sister Pell with whatever medical care she requires.
For life?
What remains of it.
Letos focus returned, as did a sudden lifting of his heart. He didnt like the situation, and rebellious thoughts doubted he could make it happen. But his purpose remained as clear as the sunlight his mother had described to him as a boy.
Pell has been under the care of my older sister and brother-in-law for many years, Leto said with a tight roughness in his throat. My family would be very grateful for the assistance. I will do this, sir.
Good.
The Old Man thumped awaythree sounds with each step. Step. Cane. Shuffle. Leto wouldve recognized that pattern anywhere. His masters cadence was nearly as familiar as his own heartbeat.
Over his shoulder, the Old Man called, Ill return in the days before the match. Arrangements will need to be made if youre not ready.
Ill be ready.
To turn this womanpractically a human, but for her remarkable powersinto a fighter would be nothing short of astonishing. What better opportunity to demonstrate his prowess as a warrior? Three matches. Keep her alive. Then his comatose younger sister would be protected forever.
Leto returned to where Nynn had fallen. Cropped, golden blond hair glimmered beneath the floodlights that lined the Cages octagonal posts. She appeared asleep. Again he was fascinated with her freckles. Hed never seen their likelight brown, not tinged with red as with pale human women. He recognized that her stubbornness resided almost entirely in her pert chin. That stubbornness disappeared while she rested. Flaring brows gave her an exotic look, even among the Dragon Kings. Their women were perfection, hewn of centuries of power and flawless genetics.
Perhaps that was why they could not reproduce. What if such perfection came at great cost?
Leto was not the man to speculate.
Wake. He gave her a hard shove. Lab filth. Get up.
I thought youd decided on Nynn. Sir.
He indulged in a tight smile because her eyes remained closed. I did.
Feathery gold lashes fluttered open. She assessed him in a way that belied her depleted sprawl. What happened? Im . . . Shit, I hurt.
You dont remember?
Light. An explosion. I thought you said you had speed and reflexes. You decide to blow my head off instead?
She truly didnt know? Dragon damn, this was getting messy.
Get up, or Ill haul you out of here, he said. Your prickly pride wouldnt like that. Or I can introduce you to Hellix and his allies. Theyll be here to train soon.
Hellix?
A Pendray. He wasnt trained for the Cages from youth, as I was. He was a criminala rapist and molester of the innocent, including the daughter of one of the Old Mans backers. Hellix was sentenced to die in a Grievance.
But he survived?
He was allowed to survive after two straight hours of fighting. The Old Man thought his salacious history made for a good story. He lost that backer but gained a novelty.
More about entertaining the crowds, she said, dragging to all fours. They sound charming.